Kids Kitchen 'spices things up' for the 2024 final!

Kids Kitchen is a project set up by The Rotary Club in association with the Yeo Group in Felixstowe. It gives eight, year-nine students from Felixstowe High School, the opportunity to work hands-on in a professional kitchen under the guidance of the chefs from the Alex restaurant. The students learn about health and safety in the kitchen and food preparation over four weeks, culminating in cooking and serving a full meal to their parents, fellow Rotarians and Felixstowe’s dignitaries on their final week.

Kids Kitchen is part of the Rotary Club’s Youth Development programme headed by Andrew Rowdon. Andrew said: "This year we added a little spice to Kids Kitchen with the students learning about and cooking some Indian cuisine, overseen by one of the restaurant’s experts from this part of the world. The students were influenced by the Indian spices, flavours and the different style of cooking. Moving away from western cuisine was intentional, to shake things up a little and give a refreshing change to this annual event. However, it has proved from the reaction received, that whatever is prepared and cooked, the event just seems to get better and better each year: it really is the club’s Youth Development ‘Jewel in the Crown’ ."

The young chefs created a delicious three-course meal and served each course to the guests, including Mayor of Felixstowe, Rotary members, the students’ parents, and Bushfire Photography who took stunning photos at the event.To Start : Chicken Pakora (lightly spiced & battered chicken, chilli & mango sauce), Aloo Tikki (spiced potato patties, tamarind chutney) and Beef Samosa (baked pastry stuffed with beef, mint raita).
Main Event : Butter Chicken (mild and creamy curry) served with jeera rice, garlic & coriander naan
To Finish : Mango kulfi (traditional mango ice cream, toasted coconut shavings & candied pistachios).
(vegetarian alternatives were offered)
After the meal, speeches and presentations were made by the Mayor David Rowe and Rotary Club president Paul Griffiths. All eight talented students received a trophy for their hard work, and one young chef, Esme Scott earned further praise for her cooking skills and general commitment to the course. So she received the Top Chef award for her outstanding work.
The event has helped inspire many youngsters in the kitchen, teaching them new skills and giving them confidence. They have already used what has been learnt at home and it is something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.